Joy in Suffering

How do I find joy in suffering? Is it even possible? I'm here to tell you, yes, it is possible. But while it is possible, this is no easy task. It's been a little over a year since I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in my mid-twenties. Through this time of struggle, I have learned what it means to truly suffer and grieve. I have been down in the dumps, feeling as though life will never be good again. I have cried day after day. I have become so angry, furious even, that this terrible thing has happened to me because it is so unfair. And yet, I have reached a point where more often than not I am able to experience genuine joy.

So what does true joy look like? By definition, joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. While this can be so difficult to find when facing a terminal illness, there are definitely things that can bring about joy. For some it may be something simple such as a nice sunny day with a good book in hand, or the presence of a loyal friend or family member. Maybe you feel joyful after receiving good news about your last scans from your oncologist, or once you've completed chemotherapy. And you totally should! I remember feeling so accomplished and full of joy once I received my last dose of chemo! While that was an amazing feeling, feelings only last so long. You can have a wonderful day, then wake up the next morning experiencing negative thoughts about the future, or fears about the new pain in your back.

When these thoughts and feelings creep in, it can be difficult to choose joy again. I have experienced this first hand and have learned that I need to be intentional about choosing joy on a daily basis. For me this includes staying busy with hobbies I love and enjoying quality time with family and friends to name a few (see my previous blog post https://www.laurens-healing-hope.com/post/how-to-live-life-to-the-fullest-amidst-a-terminal-disease).

Although, I'm fortunate to say all of these things truly do bring me joy, I have also learned that there is a joy that can only be experienced because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I was having some quiet time and going through a Bible study and there was a line I read that stuck out to me. It says, "Joy is a condition of the heart. Joy is peace and hope despite circumstances… Joy is only found in Jesus” (by Kayla Ferris in Pointing to the Promise). How amazing is this! Because of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross I am set free from the pain of this earth. And so are you, if you choose to believe His truths. We are promised a gift of eternal life after we die. This gives me so much hope! A hope that leads to joy, a joy like no other, a joy that cannot be satisfied by earthly things. Along with this joy, we receive peace, love, assurance that we are not alone, and so much more. Thank you, Jesus!

2 Corinthians 4 describes suffering in faith really well. "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (vs 8-9). Even when we experience affliction and persecution we carry Jesus in our mortal bodies who gives us life and sustains us. Through our deepest hardships God is with us and we are not alone. And this is not the only time this is mentioned in the Bible. The Bible tells us over and over again that God is with us no matter what we are going through. Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." How can this not give you joy in your heart?! And what a great way for Christians to use their sufferings to bring others to Christ and a life full of joy. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 goes on further and says "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen... for the things that are unseen are eternal." In other words, our life on earth is nothing compared to the treasures waiting for us in heaven.

To sum it up, first and foremost, it IS possible to have joy in the midst of suffering. You may just have to work extra hard at choosing to be joyful. It's funny because when I was in college, I made a piece of artwork that said "choose joy" (pictured below). This statement means so much more to me now than it ever did back then, but I still must've thought it was an important enough phrase to have up on my bedroom wall. I think God knew I would need this reminder in the future. Secondly, you can experience a joy unlike any other when you choose to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It is through Jesus I am able to experience true joy, as well as a peace that surpasses all understanding, a love that I cannot fathom, and a hope that my future is secured in Him. So, yes, I can find temporary joy in the things of this earth, but I find and know in my heart genuine joy that I could not find without Him. Friends, choose to rest in Him and you will be so fulfilled.